locked down March 20 – June 26, 2020 Especially during the first month, the COVID restrictions were strictly enforced. Only one person per boat was allowed to leave the marina for shopping to the nearest grocery store or pharmacy, which for us happened to be both in the Ibn Battuta Mall (the red dot at […]
Tangier, Morocco – 4 Read More »
Although the Medina and the Kasbah are the tourist source of income, Tangier has more up its sleeve. The modern business district can rival with many European cities and Tangier is surrounded by 4 major industrial parks home to a diversified industry. The glitzy towers and 4 lane roads miss the atmosphere of the older
Tangier, Morocco – 3 Read More »
In 1419 the Portuguese were the first in Europe to start methodical expeditions along West Africa’s coast under the sponsorship of prince Henry the Navigator, marking the beginnings of Europe’s “Age of Discoveries” (See; https://www.twobatsea.com/belem-portugal/). Tangier became Portugese territory in 1471 but in 1661 was passed on to the British as part of Portuguese princess Catherine
Tangier, Morocco – 2 Read More »
After fuelling up at CEPSA in Gibraltar, (0.75 EU per liter but more expensive than Philippines!) we left for Tangier on Sunday Mar 8, 2020. Navigating our way out of Gibraltar bay between the anchored freighters and tankers is the easy part. What you really have to look out for are the high speed ferries.
Tangier, Morocco – 1 Read More »
Not surprisingly; walking in Gibraltar is like walking in a giant medieval fort. You can enter via the main road but you can also take the “original entrance”. Following the tunnel you end up on Casemates Square, that got its name from the bunkers and bombproof barracks. The square is now lined with pubs, restaurants
With the boat safely moored in marina Alcaidesa waiting for the parts to fix the escape hatches we rented a car and went to Seville for a three day visit. We arrived around lunch time so after checking in in the hotel we went for lunch in a Lebanese restaurant. We had left Abu Dhabi
After pasport control you follow Winston Churchill Avenue and cross the famous airstrip into the North District of Gibraltar city. The first suburb you walk into is “Ocean Village” a Dubai like development with high risers, waterfront bars and restaurants around a small marina. We enjoyed many sun-downers in this cozy area. Gibraltar has a
In Cadiz we assessed the situation with Newpoint Moverbo the Dutch dealer of our boat. If we stayed in Cadiz waiting for the necessary parts to make the escape hatches safe to sail, we would not be able to leave Europe before the deadline of March 05, 2020. As a consequence we would become VAT
La Linea de la Conception Read More »
The first overnight stay when back in Spain was in the lovely Marina Isla Canela. Spain was under Moorish rule for 250 years longer than neighbouring Portugal and the attractive Marina development is based on Moorish architecture which we came to appreciate once in Tangier Morocco. Early morning next day we were off for the
Isla Canela & Cadiz Read More »
A good weather window lasting a couple of days opened up to sail further South, rounding the Cape and to proceed in the direction of Gibraltar. We limited our trips to day sailing and overnight anchoring due to the many fish traps along the route. Since we didn’t go ashore to explore, this post is